Pokémon Trainers outside of the Kalos region are falling behind when you consider not only did they never realize that Jigglypuff was a Fairy Pokemon but also that some of their much loved and rarer Pokémon can exhibit another form of super-charged evolution. Heck, over several generations my trainers have raised several of the eligible Pokémon to level 100 and never been able to achieve such evolutionary feats!
Mega Evolution is a new transformation that certain Pokémon can undergo during battle (An example above being the transformation of Mewtwo). Pokémon that Mega Evolve will tap into hidden reserves of strength and power that have never been realized in their regular Evolutions, giving players battling with a Mega-Evolved Pokémon a dominant advantage and their foes a new element to add to their strategy. Of course, even if you have a whole group of level 100 Pokemon, not all of them will have the strength reserves to accomplish this.
Blaziken –> Mega Blaziken
Pokémon like Mega Mewtwo and Mega Lucario will harness the power of Mega Evolution in battle and will see their looks change and stats increase. Some Pokémon that Mega Evolve may even change their Ability or type while in battle. Only certain Pokémon, under certain conditions, can Mega Evolve, and unlike regular Evolution, Mega Evolution only occurs during battle—once the battle ends, the Mega-Evolved Pokémon will return to its usual state.
One crucial element to undergoing Mega Evolution is a particular kind of item called a Mega Stone. Mega Stones are special stones that exist for all Pokémon that can Mega Evolve, each named after the Pokémon to which it grants power. For instance, the Lucarionite Mega Stone will help Lucario Mega Evolve. Mega Stones are hidden throughout the Kalos region, and players must find them to unlock the incredible power of Mega Evolution. Unfortunately asides from “hidden” no examples have been provided as to how one could go about acquiring these stones.
One Mega Stone, Blazikenite, will not be found during normal gameplay in Pokémon X or Pokémon Y. Players of the new titles will need to participate in a special limited-time Wi-Fi distribution event via Nintendo Network to get a Torchic holding a Blazikenite Mega Stone. The Wi-Fi distribution event for this Torchic will be run at the games launch for a limited period of time.
Players will need to evolve the Torchic they receive via the distribution into Combusken and finally into Blaziken in order to harness the power of this Mega Stone and Mega Evolve Blaziken into Mega Blaziken. The Torchic received in this distribution also has the Hidden Ability Speed Boost, a very powerful Ability that increases a Pokémon’s Speed at the end of every turn. It has been hinted that the Speed Boost ability plays to Mega Blaziken’s strengths in battle.
But while talking about evolutions to the gameplay systems, the evolution system itself is not the only one to receive an overhaul. Super Training or S.T. is being introduced in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, allowing players to help their Pokémon grow stronger when they’re not in battle. On the Touch Screen of the Nintendo 3DS system, players can have their Pokémon participate in Super Training, activities that will increase a Pokémon’s base stats.
One Super Training activity involves having Pokémon train by facing huge Pokémon-shaped Balloon Bots in a virtual space (Pictured above), with both sides trying to shoot balls into the opponent’s goal. Using the Circle Pad and Touch Screen to avoid shots from the Balloon Bots while landing their own in the goal, players will enjoy this action-packed feature while increasing their Pokémon’s base stats to help them become stronger for battle.
For a more casual way to help Pokémon strengthen their base stats, Core Training lets players set up training bags, earned by completing Super-Training Regimens, for Pokémon in their party to use. Pokémon will work on Core Training by themselves, raising their stats on their own. By tapping on the Touch Screen during a Core Training session, players can help their Pokémon increase their base stats, too. Players will be able to see how their Pokémon are doing at their Core Training at any time from the main Super Training screen.
Gameplay systems were not the only thing on the mind of The Pokémon Company International when sharing this new information, opting to introduce a new Gym Leader and a handful of Pokémon companions who may potentially join you on your quest.
Korrina is the Gym Leader in Shalour City, a seaside town known for its amazing views. It’s also home to the Tower of Mastery, which seems to have a connection to Mega Evolution. Gym Leader Korrina seeks to draw out her Pokémon’s strength to reach still greater heights, and it’s said that she may hold the key to Mega Evolution! In addition to being a Gym Leader, Korrina is a fantastic roller skater. In other words, it sounds like fighting type Pokémon are her specialty.
The three newly unveiled Pokémon whom you can catch during your journey around the Kalos region are:
Bunnelby
Bunnelby is a new Normal-type Pokémon that creates its den by digging in the ground with its large, shovel-shaped ears. These powerful ears are strong enough to chop right through thick tree roots, making them a force to be reckoned with in battle. Bunnelby can learn the Ground-type move Dig. On the first turn, the user burrows underground, and on the second turn, it attacks! In Double Battles, a Pokémon can use Dig to avoid its ally’s attack and then dish out damage on the next turn.
Dedenne
By emitting radio waves from its antenna-shaped whiskers, new Electric- and Fairy-type Pokémon Dedenne can communicate with far-off allies. It can also plug its tail into outlets to drain electricity from them. Its Ability, Cheek Pouch, is new to Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. If a Pokémon with this Ability eats a Berry during battle, it will not only reap the benefit from the Berry, but the Pokémon will also be able to regain HP. Dedenne can learn the new Electric-type move Nuzzle, which looks cute as the user nuzzles up to a target with its cheeks fully charged, but it’s quite dangerous! Nuzzle will do damage while paralyzing the opponent.
Skiddo
It is now known that Skiddo evolves into the already announced Gogoat. A Grass-type Pokémon, Skiddo has a gentle nature and is said to be the first Pokémon to live alongside humans. Because of this relationship, Skiddo doesn’t mind carrying people or supplies on its back, and it has become able to read the feelings of its riders through their grip on its horns. Skiddo can learn the Grass-type move Leaf Blade, where the user wields a sharp leaf to slice like a sword.
